August 9, 2009
Scripture,
Scripture:
Isaiah 6:1-3
This passage speaks of God’s holiness. One writer has suggested that the word holy is repeated three times because of the three persons of the Godhead. While here on earth, Jesus referred to His Father as ‘Holy Father’. When the Spirit was given, He is referred to as the ‘Holy Ghost’. In Luke, when the angel is talking to Mary, he spoke of Jesus as that ‘holy Thing’. We serve a thrice-holy God. It’s solemn, but it’s wondrous. Anything else wouldn’t fit.
Hymn 350 - I will make you fishers of men
Prayer
Last time, we talked about how Hannah was unhappy, because she had no children. When she went to the temple with her husband, she prayed that God would give her a son; if He did, she promised to give the child back to the Lord. We saw how God answered that prayer, and how Hannah kept her promise.
After the Lord answers a prayer, what should we do? We should thank Him; that’s what Hannah did. Read I Samuel 1:1. She rejoiced and praised God.
Read v. 11; Elkanah and his family went home; however, Samuel stayed at the temple and served God.
Now, you may remember from the first chapter (v. 3) that Eli had two sons: Hophni and Phinehas. They were priests in the temple, but they were not very godly, v.12. They abhorred the sacrifices of the Lord, v. 17, and did many other evil things. But in v. 18, we have a contrast: “But Samuel …" Samuel was just a young child, but he ministered before the Lord. We’re told here that he wore a linen ephod, which is the garment of the priests. Each year, his mother would bring him a new coat, v. 19. Even though he was so young, Samuel could serve and honour the Lord.
V. 21: because she kept her promise to the Lord, God blessed Hannah with 5 more children. At the end of this verse, we’re given an update on Samuel: he grew before the Lord. Look at v. 26: we find he continued to grow in favour with both the Lord and with men (very like the Lord).
At our house, we planted some seeds earlier this year. We planted them in good soil, and have given them water and fertilizer; they’ve also had plenty of sun. Now, they have started to grow. But they wouldn’t have grown if they hadn’t had those things. It’s the same for our lives; if we want to grow before the Lord as Samuel did, what do we need to do? Here are just a few things
What we’ve just read reminds us that even when we give our plants all the right things, they will still have enemies: for plants, it’s weeds and other pests. We have an enemy, as well, one who will try to hinder our growth. The Jews were trying to build a wall, but their enemies were trying to hinder them.
They also found the project hard because of all the rubbish, v. 10. This is similar to all the corruption found throughout church history. Judah was complaining about the rubbish and how weak the bearers of burdens were. Later in the book, we’ll find that Judah was partnering with the enemy; they were weakening themselves. We’ve seen that Samuel grew spiritually and socially. We should be able to interact with others without being taken by their worldly ways. We can’t avoid others; Samuel was working with others in the temple daily. We must be growing spiritually and socially as he was. Notice that if we aren’t actively growing, Satan won’t bother us; he has us where he wants us. However, if we are growing, he will be trying to hinder us; we can see this in v. 11: The Jews’ enemies were planning to sneak in unnoticed and kill them all. Read Galatians 2:4. The Galatians had spies in their midst. It is good to know that God is for us.
So Nehemiah took measures against the enemies, v. 13. Notice that there were two groups of people here: those who were low, and those who were high. You’ll notice that in the Christian life, there are those who are satisfied with the low spiritual walk. There are also those who pretend to have a high spiritual walk, but who really don’t. Both of these conditions need to be dealt with. How does Nehemiah do it? He equips them with weapons.
This has a parallel with the book of Romans: it begins by showing us that all have sinned; then it tells us that we can be justified by faith, and have peace with God. But then, by ch. 7, we find that there is a conflict: we now have two natures that are pulling against each other; hence, we need deliverance from sin and the flesh within. We need to reckon the old nature dead and avail ourselves of the power of the Spirit of God. If our new nature is to thrive, we need to equip it. Nehemiah equipped his men with swords, spears, and bows, for all ranges of warfare. Read Ephesians 6:10. All our weapons (the armour of God), are only effective through God’s strength.
Hymn 286 - When Israel by divine command
Prayer